Principal Electrical Engineer, Johannesburg

SENET is seeking a highly experienced Principal Electrical Engineer to join the team as the technical authority and discipline leader for electrical engineering across EPCM projects.

The incumbent is responsible for ensuring the technical integrity, safety, and compliance of all electrical engineering deliverables throughout the full project lifecycle, from concept and feasibility studies through detailed design, construction, commissioning, and handover.

The Principal Electrical Engineer provides technical governance, oversight, and assurance, ensuring that designs are fit-for-purpose, aligned with client requirements, and executed within project budgets and schedules. The role includes leadership of engineering teams, management of technical risk, and coordination across disciplines and stakeholders.

Key Accountabilities Technical Leadership&Governance

Act as the discipline technical authority for electrical engineering.

Ensure compliance with applicable international standards (IEC, SANS, IEEE) and client requirements.

Approve and sign off on all critical electrical engineering deliverables.

Establish and maintain discipline design criteria, standards, and best practices

Provide technical direction on:

MV/LV power distribution systems

Substations and reticulation

Motor control and plant electrification

Protection and control systems

Earthing and lightning protection systems

Power system studies (load flow, short circuit, protection coordination, harmonics)

Lead the development and review of:

Design criteria and philosophies

Technical specifications and datasheets

Engineering calculations and studies (e.g., ETAP simulations)

Drawings and models (SLDs, schematics, layouts)

Ensure engineering deliverables are:

Technically correct

Complete and aligned with project scope

Delivered in accordance with schedule requirements

Oversee vendor technical evaluations and approve key equipment selections

Ensure correct definition and control of battery limits and scope boundaries

Project Execution&Integration

Provide electrical engineering leadership across all project phases:

Concept and feasibility

FEED and detailed design

Construction and commissioning

Coordinate effectively with multi-disciplinary engineering teams

Support procurement by defining:

Equipment specifications

Scope of work for packages

Technical bid evaluations

Site queries and field engineering

Commissioning and handover activities

Commercial&Project Controls Oversight

Provide oversight of:

Discipline manhour budgets and forecasts

Cost tracking and forecasting

Schedule compliance and milestone delivery

Identify and manage scope changes, including preparation of technical inputs to change requests

Risk, Quality&Compliance

Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks within the discipline

Maintain and contribute to the project risk register

Ensure compliance with:

Company engineering procedures and BTDs

Quality management systems

Design safety and regulatory requirements

Conduct and oversee design reviews, squad checks, and audits

Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to:

Junior engineers and EITs

Designers and draughtspersons

Build and maintain discipline capability and technical excellence

Promote knowledge sharing and continuous improvement within the team

Interface with clients, vendors, and internal stakeholders on technical matters

Review and approve vendor documentation and drawings

Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs)

Vendor inspections and progress reviews

Provide technical support to project management and client engagement activities

Qualifications&Experience Qualifications

BSc or BEng or B. Tech in Electrical Engineering

Registered as a Professional Engineer with ECSA

Experience

Minimum 12–15 years' experience in electrical engineering within: Mining, minerals processing, or heavy industrial projects

Proven experience in EPCM project environments

Demonstrated experience in:

Leading electrical engineering design teams

Delivering large-scale projects (concept to commissioning)

Managing complex electrical systems and interfaces

MV/LV power system design and analysis

Substation design and equipment selection

Motor control systems and MCCs

Protection systems and coordination studies

Power system modelling and simulation (e.g., ETAP)

Earthing, lightning protection, and safety systems

Electrical equipment specifications and procurement support

Software&Systems

Power system analysis: ETAP (or equivalent)

Design tools: AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks

Microsoft Office suite

Strong leadership and technical authority

Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Strategic thinking and problem-solving ability

High level of accountability and ownership

Ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines

Strong commercial awareness within project environments

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